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Back Walking on Sunshine Save as PDF
Chapters (46)
  1. Cover
  2. About the Author
  3. By the same author
  4. Dedication
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
  9. 5
  10. 6
  11. 7
  12. 8
  13. 9
  14. 10
  15. 11
  16. 12
  17. 13
  18. 14
  19. Three Months Later
  20. 15
  21. 16
  22. 17
  23. 18
  24. 19
  25. 20
  26. 21
  27. 22
  28. 23
  29. 24
  30. 25
  31. 26
  32. 27
  33. 28
  34. 29
  35. 30
  36. 31
  37. 32
  38. 33
  39. 34
  40. 35
  41. 36
  42. 37
  43. Epilogue – Five Years Later
  44. Acknowledgements
  45. An extra note from me …
  46. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

When Pia was going through her treatment her skin regularly suffered bad reactions to the drugs she was on. Even when it calmed down after treatment, she never felt like her face was hers. I used to take different products over to her and we’d have a little pamper. If her face was inflamed we’d do something different, maybe something with her hands and feet, but always there was a little self-care and love. Pia was one person, but imagine if we can go beyond the pages of the magazine and help people when they need it most. When they feel broken, unsure, and could do with a little boost. Obviously it doesn’t just have to be about cancer, many people face all kinds of moments of adversity in their lives and part of what can help is simply having someone there to talk to. And so I’ve dreamt up a little idea called The Chatter Pamper Club, and I’ve already managed to rope in some friends who work in beauty to help out after firing out some texts earlier. The idea is to use the products in the cupboard here that would usually go unused, and have regular events for little pick-me-up treatments like pedicures and manicures, but also mini makeovers. Guests can try out different products and looks in an effort to build confidence and feel good, and the whole time there’ll be lots of supportive new friends on hand to chat to.

I’ve made a list of venues to contact which I think might be up for helping out by giving us a monthly space and I’m hoping once the beauty PRs get wind of what we’re doing they’ll be even more supportive going forward and maybe guests can even leave our get-togethers with little goodie bags too.

I know makeup and all the luxury I enjoy is frivolous, fun and indulgent – it’s not a necessity when you look at life’s bigger picture. However, it can also bring joy and make individuals feel great. I’m aware we don’t need to wear makeup all the time and that finding confidence in our skin is the ultimate dream, but when we feel depleted and spent it’s nice knowing there’s a way of giving a little boost when it’s needed.

I spend lunchtime fleshing out my idea, feeling excited and proud that something good could be coming out of something I love.

The anxiety from earlier has been elbowed out. Now something far more worthy of my attention has taken over: hope.

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37

Mike